Gas barrier properties of solution processed composite multilayer structures for organic solar cells encapsulation

This study designed and synthesised a meta-amide-substituted dianiline monomer (m-DABA) as a stereoisomer of DABA, a previously investigated para-amide-substituted dianiline monomer. This new monomer was polymerised with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) to prepare a polyimide film (m-DABPI) in a process similar to that employed in a previous study. The relationship between the substitution positions on the monomer and the gas barrier properties of the polyimide film was investigated via molecular simulation, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to gain deeper insights into the gas barrier mechanism. The results showed that compared with the para-substituted DABPI, the m-DABPI exhibited better gas barrier properties, with a water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) as low as 2.8 g·m−2·d−1 and 3.3 cm3·m−2·d−1, respectively. This was because the meta-linked polyimide molecular chains were more tightly packed, leading to a smaller free volume and lower molecular chain mobility. These properties are not conducive to the permeation of small molecules into the film; thus, the gas barrier properties were improved. The findings have significant implications for the structural design of high-barrier materials and could promote the development of flexible display technology.

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A solution-processed, ultraviolet-irradiation-derived WO3 film as anode interface layer for high-performance non-fullerene organic solar cells

Solar Energy ◽

10.1016/j.solener.2021.01.037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 216 ◽

pp. 211-216

Author(s):

Tao Zhan ◽

Peng Ren ◽

Xiaofang Huang ◽

Xiuyun Zhang ◽

Guiting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Organic Solar Cells ◽

Ultraviolet Irradiation ◽

High Performance ◽

Interface Layer ◽

Solution Processed

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Digital printing of a novel electrode for stable flexible organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 8.5%

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93365-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

S. Wageh ◽

Mahfoudh Raïssi ◽

Thomas Berthelot ◽

Matthieu Laurent ◽

Didier Rousseau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solar Cell ◽

Power Conversion Efficiency ◽

Conversion Efficiency ◽

Organic Solar Cells ◽

Power Conversion ◽

Transport Layer ◽

Electron Transport Layer ◽

Solution Processed ◽

Transparent Conducting

AbstractPoly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) mixed with single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) (10:1) and doped with (0.1 M) perchloric acid (HClO4) in a solution-processed film, working as an excellent thin transparent conducting film (TCF) in organic solar cells, was investigated. This new electrode structure can be an outstanding substitute for conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) for applications in flexible solar cells due to the potential of attaining high transparency with enhanced conductivity, good flexibility, and good durability via a low-cost process over a large area. In addition, solution-processed vanadium oxide (VOx) doped with a small amount of PEDOT-PSS(PH1000) can be applied as a hole transport layer (HTL) for achieving high efficiency and stability. From these viewpoints, we investigate the benefit of using printed SWNTs-PEDOT-PSS doped with HClO4 as a transparent conducting electrode in a flexible organic solar cell. Additionally, we applied a VOx-PEDOT-PSS thin film as a hole transporting layer and a blend of PTB7 (polythieno[3,4-b] thiophene/benzodithiophene): PC71BM (phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester) as an active layer in devices. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were applied as an electron transport layer and Ag was used as the top electrode. The proposed solar cell structure showed an enhancement in short-circuit current, power conversion efficiency, and stability relative to a conventional cell based on ITO. This result suggests a great carrier injection throughout the interfacial layer, high conductivity and transparency, as well as firm adherence for the new electrode.

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Solution-Processed Transparent Conducting Electrodes for Flexible Organic Solar Cells with 16.61% Efficiency

Nano-Micro Letters ◽

10.1007/s40820-020-00566-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juanyong Wan ◽

Yonggao Xia ◽

Junfeng Fang ◽

Zhiguo Zhang ◽

Bingang Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Work Function ◽

Organic Solar Cells ◽

High Performance ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Electrical Stability ◽

Solution Processed ◽

Good Thermal Stability ◽

Transparent Conducting ◽

High Flexibility

AbstractNonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved breakthrough with pushing the efficiency exceeding 17%. While this shed light on OSC commercialization, high-performance flexible OSCs should be pursued through solution manufacturing. Herein, we report a solution-processed flexible OSC based on a transparent conducting PEDOT:PSS anode doped with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF3SO3H). Through a low-concentration and low-temperature CF3SO3H doping, the conducting polymer anodes exhibited a main sheet resistance of 35 Ω sq−1 (minimum value: 32 Ω sq−1), a raised work function (≈ 5.0 eV), a superior wettability, and a high electrical stability. The high work function minimized the energy level mismatch among the anodes, hole-transporting layers and electron-donors of the active layers, thereby leading to an enhanced carrier extraction. The solution-processed flexible OSCs yielded a record-high efficiency of 16.41% (maximum value: 16.61%). Besides, the flexible OSCs afforded the 1000 cyclic bending tests at the radius of 1.5 mm and the long-time thermal treatments at 85 °C, demonstrating a high flexibility and a good thermal stability.

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